CONCEPT: Research demonstrates that a commitment to learning and personal goals for attaining
an education are protective factors that offset risks for children, making them less likely to engage
in self-defeating and dangerous behaviors such as drug use. Research also indicates that successful
students have high expectations for themselves; they expect to graduate from high school and college.

OBJECTIVE: Students practice setting goals and high expectations for themselves by planning
their graduation from high school.

ACTIVITY: Print out worksheets for My Graduation
and My Wish for You. Discuss how proud
families are of their graduates and how it feels to accomplish a goal. Using the "My Graduation!"
handout, instruct students to draw themselves in a cap and gown, wearing a graduation ring and
holding a diploma. Ask them to list people they would invite to the graduation ceremony.
[Note: If some students do not have several people to invite, ask them to invite you and
explain it would make you very proud to be invited. Do not promise to attend.] Invite students
to share their drawings. Facilitate the "Post-Test" and "Discussion." End the lesson by asking
students to walk to the front of the class, shake your hand and accept "My Wish for You" "diplomas"
(tied with ribbon.)

POST-TEST: After students share their drawings, ask the class:

How did it feel to plan for your graduation?

How do you think your parents and family will feel when you graduate?

Why is it important to set goals... to decide what we want to do?

Why is it important to plan... to write or draw the things we will do?

Why is it important to share our hopes, dreams and plans with others?

DISCUSSION: After the "Post-Test," discuss the fact that what we do today can affect what
happens to us in the future, such as working hard in school affects the goal of graduation.
Discuss what students can do to be sure they do well in school now. Emphasize it is smart to
know when to ask for help; asking questions is one important way we learn. Discuss how students
can ask for help from teachers and counselors.